Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 Match 1 - Southern Vipers vs The Blaze - Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions – May 18th

Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 Match 1 - Southern Vipers vs The Blaze - to be played on May 18^th, at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

Match 1 - Southern Vipers vs The Blaze – 14:30

SOUTHERN VIPERS

Captain: Georgia Adams

Head Coach: Charlotte Edwards

2023 finish: Winners

2023 highest run-scorer: Danni Wyatt (273)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Anya Shrubsole & Linsey Smith (13)

The big question: Will it be a three-peat? Vipers have won the past two editions of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, and have only lost two matches in that period. When everyone is available the line-up looks formidable.

Player to watch: Georgia Adams is simply the best regional player never to have played for England. She glistens after taking home the PCA’s overall MVP plus, the individual CEC and RHFT awards last season. Expects more runs, more wickets, and incredible captaincy.

Young gun: Charli Knott has settled in at Vipers like a homegrown player. The Australian has mixed heavy scoring with the bat with pressure-building off-spin in the RHFT, and the 21-year-old has serious T20 pedigree having been named the Young Gun at last winter’s WBBL.

Final thought: ‘Little Lottie’ has found a nice home on the south coast and ‘Lottie’ does not want to relinquish her. Six England call-ups will throttle the first couple of matches but once Vipers are at full strength they have a line-up that could mix it at international level. Anya Shrubsole’s retirement does leave a bowling hole, but winter recruit Freya Davies should fill that.

THE BLAZE

Captain: Kirstie Gordon

Head Coach: Chris Guest

2023 finish: Runners-up

2023 highest run-scorer: Georgie Boyce (200)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Nadine de Klerk (15)

The big questions: Having won all their matches with the exception of the final in 2023, The Blaze clearly like the short format. A slow start has hampered them in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy this year and some confidence-boosting early wins look key.

Player to watch: Fresh from leading Scotland Women to their historic qualification for this year’s T20 World Cup, all-rounder Kathryn Bryce will be looking to back up her form with a big contribution in the domestic tournament.

Young gun: The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Ella Claridge has impressed in The Blaze’s 50-over side in the absence of Scotland international Sarah Bryce, hitting a career-best unbeaten 64 in the win over Western Storm. She surely justifies a place even with Bryce back.

Final thought: Injuries and international call-ups undermined The Blaze’s start in 50-overs cricket, leaving them short in the batting, but the return of the Bryce sisters from Scotland duty and 2023 top scorer Georgie Boyce from injury - plus the signing of Australia’s Heather Graham to cover Nadine de Klerk’s absence with South Africa - should make them competitive again and another appearance at Finals Day should not be discounted.

Squads

Southern Vipers - Georgia Adams (c), Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Georgia Elwiss, Nancy Harman, Freya Kemp, Ava Lee, Ella McCaughan, Alice Monaghan, Abi Norgrove, Linsey Smith, Rhianna Southby, Megan Sturge, Charlotte Taylor, Mary Taylor, Finty Trussler, Emily Windsor, Danni Wyatt - Overseas: Charli Knott (Australia – April-July)

The Blaze - Grace Ballinger, Tammy Beaumont, Georgie Boyce, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Ella Claridge, Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon (c), Teresa Graves, Josie Groves, Beth Harmer, Lucy Higham, Scarlett Hughes, Marie Kelly, Michael Kirk, Cassidy McCarthy, Sophie Munro, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Daisy Mullan (Thunder, short-term loan - April-May) - Overseas: Nadine de Klerk (South Africa – April-May, August-September), Heather Graham (Australia - June-July)

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – The Blaze

Who will win? –  The Blaze

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Georgia Adams - Southern Vipers, Heather Graham  - The Blaze

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Georgia Adams - Southern Vipers, Kathryn Bryce - The Blaze

Most Sixes – Georgia Adams - Southern Vipers, Heather Graham  - The Blaze

Player of the Match – Heather Graham  - The Blaze

Team Scores Batting first – Southern Vipers 150+, The Blaze 130+

Match Handicap – Southern Vipers

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

© Cricket World 2024